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The Precast Focus is one tool in PCI Midwest’s information toolbox. It is intended to emphasize the benefits of using precast concrete, showcase new technologies, and illustrate why precast concrete is the perfect choice.

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UNDERSTANDING SCMS IN CONCRETE

Supplementary Cementitious Materials: Definition and Role. What are SCMs in concrete? SCM stands for Supplementary Cementitious Materials—additives used in concrete to enhance its properties.

THERMAL MASS BENEFITS OF PRECAST CONCRETE

Technical Overview. Precast concrete is renowned for its exceptional thermal mass properties, which offer significant advantages in building design and performance.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARPED STRANDS AND STRAIGHT STRANDS IN BRIDGE BEAM CONSTRUCTION

Understanding Prestressing Techniques in Bridge Beams. In modern bridge beam construction, prestressing strands are commonly used to improve the strength and durability of concrete beams.

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: STC RATINGS IN PRECAST DOUBLE T’S

Sound Transmission Class (STC) quantifies a partition’s ability to block airborne sound, as defined by ASTM E413.

THE TECHNICAL REASONS FOR SPECIFYING PCI CERTIFICATION IN PRECAST CONCRETE

PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute) certification is a rigorous, multi-faceted quality assurance program.

REBAR VS STRAND IN REINFORCING CONCRETE

Concrete inherently possesses high compressive strength but is comparatively weak in tension.

PLC CEMENT: DEFINITION AND OVERVIEW

PLC cement, or Portland Limestone Cement, is a type of blended cement that incorporates a higher percentage of finely ground limestone compared to traditional Portland cement.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TYPE I, II, AND III CEMENTS

Portland cement is a fundamental material in construction, and it is manufactured in several types to meet different engineering requirements.

TECHNICAL COMPARISON: PRECAST CONCRETE VS. CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE

Concrete is a principal material in civil and structural engineering, prized for its compressive strength, durability, and adaptability.

CEMENT VS. CONCRETE: KEY DIFFERENCES

Cement and concrete are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they refer to very different materials with distinct purposes in construction.

PRECAST CONCRETE WALL PANELS

The exterior façade of a building is its signature. But a building envelope’s materials are more than just a visual appearance.

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTION

Precast concrete products are produced to precise industry standards in quality-controlled environments at PCI Certified Plants.

NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Mitigation can be defined as the sustained action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from natural multi-hazard disasters and their effects.

DESIGN VERSATILITY OF PRECAST CONCRETE

High-performance precast concrete is the most versatile building material available in today’s construction industry.

DELIVERY AND ERECTION OF PRECAST CONCRETE

Prior to delivery and erection of precast concrete products at the jobsite, the field services team conducts preconstruction planning.

CONNECTIONS FOR PRECAST CONCRETE

The purpose of a connection is to transfer loads, restrain movement, and/or provide stability to a component or an entire structure.

BUILDING RESTORATION USING PRECAST CONCRETE

Over time, building structures and façades may need restoration due to storm damage, weathering, water infiltration of façades causing widespread deterioration and corrosion of embedded steel components, code mandated modifications...

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTION IN COLD WEATHER

Precast concrete products are typically manufactured in a controlled indoor plant environment. However, large structural products, such as bridge girders, piling, and double tees are often cast outdoors on long-line steel casting beds...

PRECAST CONCRETE INSTALLATION IN COLD WEATHER

One of the many attributes and benefits of high-performance precast concrete is accelerated year-round construction in almost any weather conditions.

PCI: PRECAST CONCRETE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

Founded in 1954, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is the technical institute and trade association for the precast and prestressed concrete structures industry.

NEW INNOVATIONS WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete is a high-performance building material that is versatile, efficient, resilient, durable, and sustainable for the long term.

TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete is a high-performance building material manufactured off-site in a PCI-Certified quality-controlled plant environment, cast, cured, removed from custom molds or forms, yarded, and allowed to continue curing in storage...

NOISE REDUCTION WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

The inherent mass of precast concrete makes it an excellent unwanted sound or noise barrier.

STRUCTURAL ADVANTAGES OF PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete is a high-performance structural building material that can be used as the primary structural system of a building transferring roof, floor, and lateral loads.

HOW PRECAST BUILDS: ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS, OWNERS, AND DEVELOPERS

Precast concrete construction is the top solution of choice for architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and developers for versatile, efficient, resilient, and sustainable high-performance structures.

EXPLORE, DESIGN AND BUILD WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete construction is the top choice of owners, architects, engineers, and general contractors for designing and building high performance structures that are inherently versatile, efficient, and resilient.

AESTHETIC FLEXIBILITY OF PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete allows architects and designers the flexibility and versatility to create an unlimited variety of aesthetic effects and integrate a diverse array of façade elements into a single precast concrete component.

ACCELERATED PROJECT SCHEDULES WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

The exceptional fast speed of construction with precast concrete throughout the design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation process results in accelerated project schedules.

EXPLORE, DESIGN AND BUILD WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Precast concrete construction is the top choice of owners, architects, engineers, and general contractors for designing and building high performance structures that are inherently versatile, efficient and resilient.

WHY CAN PRECAST CONCRETE’S SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION BE SO FAST?

Precast concrete structures provide exceptionally fast speed of construction compared with conventional on-site cast-in-place concrete, masonry, wood or steel construction.

INTEGRATING UTILITY SYSTEMS WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

The most common and efficient method to integrate and install utility systems with precast concrete construction is to locate and position utility lines and openings in precast wall panels at the plant during production.

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF PRECAST CONCRETE BUILDINGS

Precast concrete is a high performance building material offering many attributes and benefits, one of which is use versatility.

BUILDING RESIDENTIAL HOUSING STRUCTURES WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Residential housing structures are designed and built with precast concrete to meet or exceed high performance design goals.

HOW PRECAST CONCRETE IS MADE

Precast concrete is cast into a specific shape in a controlled environment at a PCI-Certified precast concrete plant.

PCI ERECTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

PCI Certification is recognized as the leading and most widely specified quality-assurance program in the construction industry.

NEW PCI ARCHITECTURAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The new PCI Architectural Certification Program is the first of its kind, backed by the reputation and expertise of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI).

WHY SPECIFY PRECAST CONCRETE?

High performance precast concrete is versatile, efficient, and resilient.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CEMENT AND CONCRETE?

In everyday speech, people use the words “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably. But are they really the same? No, they are not.

PRECAST CONCRETE WALL PANELS VS. BRICK AND CONCRETE MASONRY

The exterior façade of a building is its signature. But a building envelope’s materials are more than just a visual appearance.

HOW PRECAST BUILDS: RESILIENT STRUCTURES

High performance precast concrete structures are inherently resilient and provide excellent protection against high winds from tornados and hurricanes, storm water surge and floods, fires, earthquakes, and blasts.

EXPOSED AGGREGATE BY CHEMICAL RETARDERS AND WATER WASHING

Chemical surface retarders and water washing can be used to texture the surface of hardened concrete to provide an exposed aggregate finish.

BUILDING INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES WITH PRECAST CONCRETE

Industrial structures are designed and built with precast concrete to meet or exceed high performance design goals.

WHAT IS PRECAST CONCRETE?

Precast concrete and precast, prestressed concrete excel in strength, sustainability, functionality, and durability.

PRECAST CONCRETE WALLS

Precast concrete wall systems can be comprised of a variety of shapes, and wall types.

PRECAST CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS

Floors are the key element when it comes to architectural freedom and design.

PRECAST CONCRETE BEAMS AND COLUMNS

Precast concrete is a versatile structural material that can be used as the structural system of a building, bridge, or other structure.

EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE OF PRECAST CONCRETE PARKING STRUCTURES

Precast, prestressed concrete parking structures are exceptionally durable, and are well-suited for areas where corrosion could be a problem.

PRECAST CONCRETE STRUCTURES ARE RESILIENT

Precast, prestressed concrete contributes to sustainable designs in many ways.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD YOUR SCHOOL USING PRECAST CONCRETE?

Precast concrete building systems are ideal for K-12 schools and college and university campuses including dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, offices, parking structures, stadiums, theaters, and more.

STORM RESISTANCE OF PRECAST CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Precast concrete structures are inherently resilient and provide excellent protection against high winds from tornados and hurricanes, storm surge, and flying debris.